27. Savannah

Chapter 27

Savannah

I swipe another tear off my cheek as I turn off of my street and onto the main road. I don't want to leave my parents. It was so nice to be home with them for a little bit, especially since everything between Chad, Devon, and me exploded. To have their support and love made a world of difference.

And then there was Nixon.

He made me feel like I had the strength to get through the next few weeks. He made me feel like I wasn't weird for studying and trying to focus on school.

More than anything, he showed me how a boyfriend should treat their girlfriend. He showed me what it's like to be loved and cherished. To have someone support you and your dreams.

The entire way to my apartment, I keep thinking about Nixon and all the memories we've shared over the years. I think about his injury and how he kept it from me. I could get upset over that, but honestly, unless I was put in the same position he was, I don't think I can judge him on his actions. I have no clue how I would've responded in the same situation.

I pull into the parking lot of my apartment just as it's starting to get dark. After grabbing my bag out of the backseat, I climb the three flights of stairs to my apartment. Unlocking my front door, I head straight into my bedroom and toss my bag on the bed. I can deal with that later.

I want to get all of Chad's things together and packed into a box so I can get it out of my apartment. There's a sweatshirt, a few t-shirts, a football, two textbooks, and the necklace he gave me for my birthday. I don't want it. I know I'll never wear it again and somehow keeping it makes me feel like I still have a connection to him, which I don't want.

I glance down at my arm and smile at the red and white cord wrapped around my wrist. It's a constant reminder of the day we spent together. I'm going to wear it until I can move back to Pebble Creek and start my future with the man I love.

Once everything is in a box, I set it by the front door and change into a pair of comfy pants and one of Nixon's shirts I stole from him before I left.

I rest my back against my headboard and pressed the button to video chat with Nixon. I already miss him more than I'm willing to admit.

"Hey, baby." Nixon smiles as he types away on his computer.

"Hey, am I interrupting something?"

"Nah, I was trying to catch up on work, but I can do that later. I just wanted to finish this one last thing." He presses a few more keys before he pushes his laptop back and takes his phone off of the little stand it was on. "How was the drive?"

"It was so long," I groan. "I don't want to do it again in a few weeks."

"At least it will be the last time you have to do it. Then you get to come home and be with me."

"Mmm, that sounds amazing."

"Hey, are you wearing my shirt?" A slow smile spreads across Nixon's face, showing off his adorable dimples.

"I might've stolen it." I nibble on my bottom lip, refusing to meet his gaze.

"I love that, Savvy. You should wear it to school tomorrow."

"Why?"

"Because I guarantee Chad's going to seek you out and when he sees you wearing another guy's shirt, he's going to get the hint and leave you alone."

"I highly doubt he's going to seek me out. He doesn't care about me. If he did, he wouldn't have dated me for a bet, or cheated on me with Devon." I roll my eyes.

"I'm telling you, sweetheart, the entire drive home, he was thinking about you. Every time Devon starts complaining or she won't stop talking and he just wants to relax, he's missing you. Just promise me something?"

"What?"

"Don't fall back into his arms. I've spent so much of my life without you and I don't want to lose you now that you're finally mine," he says softly. The vulnerability in his eyes has my heart breaking. He can't honestly think I'd want to go back to Chad, can he?

"I'd never do that, Nix. You mean way too much to me, and I don't want him back. He was awful and I want someone amazing in my life."

"Am I someone amazing?" A lopsided grin appears on his face, making a smile spread across my own face.

"The most amazing." I giggle. "I wish you were here right now. I want to lay in your arms and spend at least two hours kissing you before I start studying."

"Well, while I can't hold you or kiss you, I could help you study." He lifts his shoulder in a shrug.

"Really? You'd do that?"

"Of course. Email me your notes and we can go through them. I'd love to help you, babe."

I grab my computer and my fingers fly across my keyboard so I can send Nixon all of my notes as quickly as possible. He used to help me study like this in high school and it was always so much more enjoyable. If I could study for finals like this, it would be more tolerable.

"I got them. Ok, are you ready?"

"Thank you, Nixon. I really appreciate this. I haven't had anyone else to help me since you left for the military."

"I'm always here for you, Savvy. No matter what you're facing, it's us against the world now."